Senior Manager Operations and Allocations

Job description

Position overview SNV is building a commercial markets accelerator, built to close the gap between capital and impact where both are urgently needed. This is a lean unit with a single P&L, a break-even mandate, and a team that spans two revenue streams, multiple geographies, and a mix of hires and consultants. The Senior Manager for Operations and Allocations is the engine room. This person owns the financial backbone of the Accelerator, keeps a constant eye on profitability and spend, manages how team members and partners are allocated across assignments, and ensures the internal systems and processes work well enough to create commercial speed rather than administrative drag. The right profile is someone with the financial rigour of a management accountant, the operational instincts of a COO, and the interpersonal skills to manage resource conversations in a small, fast-moving team where everyone has competing priorities. This is not a support function. It is a strategic role that directly determines whether the Accelerator reaches break-even. Who you are You are a commercially minded operations leader who thrives in building and scaling new ventures. You combine strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to design practical operating models, processes, and systems that enable teams to perform at their best. You are naturally curious and challenge the status quo. Rather than accepting existing processes as given, you assess whether they are fit for purpose and look for opportunities to improve efficiency, decision-making, and client experience. You bring an external, commercially focused perspective and are comfortable questioning established ways of working when a better approach exists. You are equally comfortable working with numbers, people, and systems. You understand the financial drivers of a business and can translate financial insights into operational decisions that improve profitability, resource utilization, and performance. At the same time, you build strong relationships, navigate competing priorities, and influence stakeholders with confidence and credibility. You enjoy operating in ambiguity and are energized by creating structure where little exists. You take ownership, work independently, and proactively identify opportunities to improve how work gets done. As a trusted partner to senior leadership, you help shift operational responsibilities away from others by bringing sound judgement, practical solutions, and a strong bias for action. Most importantly, you are motivated by building something new. You have the mindset of a problem solver, the rigor of a financial operator, and the confidence to create systems and ways of working that allow a fast-growing commercial venture to deliver impact at speed and scale. Key Responsibilities Financial management Own the Accelerator's P&L — monthly tracking of revenue, costs, and contribution margin by stream and by engagement. Maintain actuals vs forecast on a rolling basis. Flag variances to the Director within the week they emerge. Manage invoicing: raise invoices on time, track payments, chase overdue receivables. Negotiate and manage consultant and sub-contractor contracts — day rates, scope, payment milestones. Prepare the quarterly financial report for the steering committee. Own the budget reallocation process — track what has been spent, what remains, and flag when lines are at risk of overrun before they overrun. Support the Director on financial inputs to stage gate dossiers. You will own a significant portion of each dossier: P&L actuals, budget variance, headcount status, and pipeline financial summary. This is not a supporting role on stage gates — it is a delivery role. Resource allocation Maintain a live allocation view: who is on what engagement, at what percentage, and through to when. Identify capacity constraints before they become delivery problems — flag to the Director when team members are overcommitted. Manage the transition of team members between engagements: close-out on one, mobilisation on the next. Coordinate with the Director and stream leads on consultant sourcing when engagements require specialist inputs the core team cannot cover. Track billable time across the team — ensuring the right proportion of staff time is recoverable against client engagements. Own the time-tracking system: select, set up, and maintain the tool. Billability data is only as good as the data behind it. Partner and sub-contractor network Own the onboarding process for consultants and sub-contractors: vetting, due diligence, SNV compliance checks, contract execution. Maintain a curated roster of preferred partners by specialism and geography — available and pre-qualified when an engagement needs them. Framework agreements with preferred partners are the default contracting model: commercial terms, liability, and quality standards agreed in advance so the unit can issue call-offs rather than negotiate from scratch on every bid. Own the internal sub-contracting mechanism with other SNV teams: budget transfer process, accountability structure, quality standards, and escalation path. Manage ongoing partner relationships: performance tracking, rate reviews, framework agreement renewals. Build new partner relationships proactively — particularly in geographies or technical areas where the Accelerator's coverage is thin. Internal systems and operations Own the CRM — ensure it is live, accurate, and used. The pipeline data is only as good as the discipline behind it. Maintain operating systems: project management tools, document management, reporting templates. Resolve the IT boundary question with SNV ICT: establish which tools sit inside SNV’s environment and which do not, and under what governance conditions. Own the data governance framework: who owns data in each system, who has access, what categories of information can be processed through AI tools, and what must remain within SNV’s controlled environment. Run the monthly internal review: pipeline status, allocation, financials. Prepare the materials; run the meeting. Manage ongoing compliance requirements — procurement processes, finance reporting, HR administration. Identify and flag any internal process that is creating drag on the team's commercial activity. Propose and implement fixes. What you bring To be considered for this role, you bring: At least 8 years in operations, finance, or management roles — with direct experience managing a P&L or project budget in a commercial or consulting context. Experience in resource allocation or capacity planning in a professional services or consulting environment. Track record of managing consultant or sub-contractor networks — sourcing, contracting, and performance management. Experience working in or with development organisations, international NGOs, or similar — familiarity with donor compliance, reporting requirements, and the operational constraints of internationally dispersed teams. Experience building and running internal operating systems from scratch, not just inheriting and maintaining them. Experience establishing or managing framework agreements with external suppliers or delivery partners. Additionally, we value: Strong financial management skills — comfortable with P&L tracking, margin analysis, and budget forecasting. Proficiency with CRM tools, project management software, and financial tracking systems. Exceptional organisational skills. You track many things simultaneously without dropping any. Good negotiator — with consultants, with suppliers, and internally when competing priorities need to be resolved. Comfortable evaluating and selecting operational tools — CRM, time tracking, project management, pipeline management. You can assess options against the team’s actual workflow rather than defaulting to what is already available. English required. French or Portuguese an advantage. Reporting line: Director Location : Flexible. We welcome applications from candidates based anywhere within the time zones spanning Ghana to Singapore. As this role involves international collaboration and travel, candidates should be located within reasonable reach of a well-connected international airport. Travel requirements: International travel will be required. Expected start date: January 2027 What we offer We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. Compensation is determined based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity, ensuring a fair and consistent approach across the organisation. Location & Travel Flexible location. We are particularly interested in candidates based within the time zones between Singapore and Ghana, where most of our work is concentrated. International travel will be required, so candidates should have access to a major international airport. Contract duration: We are looking for someone to play a long-term role in building and growing the Accelerator. Contract arrangements will vary by location and local employment requirements, and details will be discussed with shortlisted candidates. Working at SNV At SNV we challenge and inspire and offer continuous growth. We offer meaningful opportunities to shape the future, expand your skills, and collaborate with a vibrant, global network of experts. At SNV your contribution matter, and your development is our priority. We are home to 57 cultures working in 22 countries, with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in. We promote international career development. Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure, willing to share their institutional knowledge, as well as people with local expertise and knowledge. All with an inquisitive view and united in ‘ ONE SNV’ working towards our purpose. Together, we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, technical knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside. SNV is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment and make recruitment decisions based on merit, competence, and organisational needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from under-represented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. How to apply If you meet the key requirements and feel inspired by this opportunity, we warmly welcome your application. Please submit your CV and motivation letter by 8th of November 2026 via SmartRecruiters. To ensure a focused and respectful recruitment process, we kindly ask that you apply only if you meet the essential qualifications and are available to work in the specified location. Please note that only candidates progressing to the next stage of the selection process will be contacted. Individual feedback cannot be provided. If this role isn’t the right fit but you’re interested in joining SNV in the future, we invite you to follow us on LinkedIn and our career page Vacancies | SNV to stay updated on new opportunities that match your profile. Reference and vetting check At SNV, our belief in the CARE principles — Commitment to impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Difference and Expertise in Practice — shapes how we work with each other and every interaction we have with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. These values guide how we welcome new team members, ensuring our workplace remains a place of trust, safety, and dignity for all. As part of our commitment to a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, we carry out reference and background checks for all determined positions, with particular attention to safeguarding. You will be invited to provide the contact details of [two] referees, and we will only approach them once you have given your permission. We handle this process with care, empathy, and strict confidentiality, using the information solely for purposes related to your application and the role you have applied for. SNV is committed to safeguarding and to protecting children and adults from all forms of harm, with zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, or any other form of misconduct. As part of creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment, all staff, consultants, and partners are expected to uphold SNV’s safeguarding, child protection, ethical standards, and CARE principles. In line with these commitments — and as a participant in the Inter‑Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) — SNV will request a Statement of Conduct from your previous employer(s), covering any substantiated findings of misconduct, to ensure a recruitment process that safeguards and protect the communities we serve. About SNV Proximate What if you could combine the commercial rigour of consulting, investment, or corporate strategy with the opportunity to create meaningful development impact at scale? SNV’s newly established impact capital accelerator aims to do exactly that: develop commercially viable solutions that generate both business value and development impact. Combining expertise in impact-driven finance and inclusive commercial value chains, SNV Proximate will operate with the pace, ambition, and commercial mindset of a boutique advisory firm while leveraging the reach, credibility, and market presence of a global development organisation. Working with companies, investors, development finance institutions, foundations, and governments, this is your chance to join the team that will design, test, and grow new approaches to mobilising investment, strengthening markets, and building more inclusive and resilient value chains across emerging economies. It is a place for people who are excited by building something new, comfortable operating across both commercial and development environments, and motivated by turning ambitious ideas into scalable results.